Now that Priscilla Halburton-Smythe has agreed to marry him, Police Sergeant Hamish Macbeth can't imagine a more perfect life. There's not much crime in his remote Scottish village of Lochdubh, nothing much at all to do but fish, drink coffee, and slouch around. And now to spend time with lovely Priscilla. But his days aren't as tranquil as his dreams. For one thing, Priscilla's renovation schemes are driving him out of his cottage. Not to mention her ambitious plans for his career as a policeman away from Lochdubh. This might be a good time to find out why Peter Hynd's arrival in nearby Drim was causing so much trouble. An attractive, unmarried man with an independent income would always attract attention in such a small place. But this time Hynd's arrival seems to have caused bitter rivalry among the women of Drim. Hamish finds their petty fights amusing and a clever excuse to avoid Priscilla and her schemes for a new electric stove (to replace his beloved woodburning appliance), a posh new bathroom, and virtuous nutrition. Amusing, that is, until death threats, physical abuse, and murder make statistical history in one of Scotland's most picture postcard-perfect towns. Praise for M.C. Beaton: The detective novels of M. C. Beaton, a master of outrageous black comedy, have reached cult status. Anne Robinson, The Times
Death of a Charming Man (Hamish Macbeth)
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Book Description
The tenth Hamish Macbeth mystery, beautifully republished with a brand new cover
About the Author
M. C. Beaton worked as a Fleet Street journalist. She is the author of the Agatha Raisin novels, the Hamish Macbeth series and an Edwardian murder-mystery series. She divides her time between Paris and the Cotswolds, where she lives in a village very much like Agatha Raisin’s beloved Carsely.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bookcave
Format:Paperback
Like all M.C. Beaton's books, this book has a charm, that will keep you wanting to read more about Hamish and Priscilla. Reading these books you are taken into a world that perfectly finds a place for most of people you know in your own life, with a bit of murder thrown in. For an afternoons reading you can't do much better.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Beaton seems to like to include children in her stories and has created an exceptional one here, twelve-year-old Heather who can raise the power of Celtic gods when needed. This is a wry commentary on the vulnerability of menopausal women ("the men's pause," it's called in these pages) and a darned good mystery to boot, which you won't fully appreciate until the very last page!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When Constable Hamish Macbeth decided to check the far reaches of his beat, Hamish ostensibly does so because someone new has moved into the dreary village of Drim. The real reason for Hamish paying Drim a visit, however, may have something to do with his wanting to escape the ministrations of the coolly collected but beautiful Pricilla Halburton-Smythe, who is now his fiancée and seems to want to change his way of life.
While Hamish is in Drim, he notices that the village females are all agog over this outsider, Peter Hynd, who just happens to be the best looking man they have ever seen. Peter's move to Drim is simply the most exciting thing ever to happen in that village. Charming, as well as extremely handsome, this lothario has the village men seeing red, while Hamish sees that this is a potential recipe for disaster.
When a dead body turns up and our charming man goes missing, Hamish has some sneaking suspicions. Between trying to figure out what is going on in Drim and what is going on at home with his fiancée, Hamish certainly has his hands full. Unfortunately for Hamish, he is a lot better at figuring out what happened in Drim than what is happening in his own personal life.
This is the tenth book in a series of cozy mysteries featuring lovable Highlander, Hamish Macbeth. In this book, village life once again takes center stage, and the village characters give the book that cozy feel. The recurring characters are further developed, enmeshing the reader into their lives. The book is also laced with sly humor throughout that is engaging, keeping the mood of the book light and highly enjoyable.
As with all cozy mysteries, it is not so much the mystery that is of import but the characters that revolve around the mystery.... Read more ›
While Hamish is in Drim, he notices that the village females are all agog over this outsider, Peter Hynd, who just happens to be the best looking man they have ever seen. Peter's move to Drim is simply the most exciting thing ever to happen in that village. Charming, as well as extremely handsome, this lothario has the village men seeing red, while Hamish sees that this is a potential recipe for disaster.
When a dead body turns up and our charming man goes missing, Hamish has some sneaking suspicions. Between trying to figure out what is going on in Drim and what is going on at home with his fiancée, Hamish certainly has his hands full. Unfortunately for Hamish, he is a lot better at figuring out what happened in Drim than what is happening in his own personal life.
This is the tenth book in a series of cozy mysteries featuring lovable Highlander, Hamish Macbeth. In this book, village life once again takes center stage, and the village characters give the book that cozy feel. The recurring characters are further developed, enmeshing the reader into their lives. The book is also laced with sly humor throughout that is engaging, keeping the mood of the book light and highly enjoyable.
As with all cozy mysteries, it is not so much the mystery that is of import but the characters that revolve around the mystery.... Read more ›
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this one and will read it again when some time has elapsed. He was like lots of supposed
charming people all top show and not much substance. He deserved what hew got!
charming people all top show and not much substance. He deserved what hew got!
By Jan
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I think I have almost read all of the Hamish Macbeth books, I love the humour of these books and find them very easy to read
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book very much and found it fascinating how a group of ladies could go weak at the knees over somebody who is goodlooking, but lacks anything else other than to cause a rumpus.
A "Charming Man" comes to live in Drim, which is on part of Hamish's patch. He causes quite a stir amongst the little village and the husbands' backs go ramrod straight whilst their wives go all goey.
As a result of the trouble he is stiring he disappears, then a member of Drim community is found dead, supposedly an accident. A body is found after a peat bog has been drain, but poor old Hamish (who is already under stress because of a bad engagement) gets more than he bargained for. Read more to find out.
Good book. Would recommend.
A "Charming Man" comes to live in Drim, which is on part of Hamish's patch. He causes quite a stir amongst the little village and the husbands' backs go ramrod straight whilst their wives go all goey.
As a result of the trouble he is stiring he disappears, then a member of Drim community is found dead, supposedly an accident. A body is found after a peat bog has been drain, but poor old Hamish (who is already under stress because of a bad engagement) gets more than he bargained for. Read more to find out.
Good book. Would recommend.
By Sophia
Format:Paperback
Hamish is not getting on very well with fiancée Priscilla and he is beginning to think he has made a mistake. He wants her to go on holiday with him but she refuses so he goes away by himself. Naturally, this being Hamish, it is a busman's holiday. He is trying to find out more about a newcomer to the nearby village of Drim who seems to be attracting the attentions of the middle aged ladies of the village. Hamish feels there is something suspicious about him and sets out to investigate.
I enjoyed this episode in the Hamish Macbeth series. It is, as ever, well written with many humorous incidents and characters. There are some sub plots as well and the book is about half as long again as many of the series. I thought the characters were especially well drawn with some intriguing behaviour and motivations. I particularly liked the little girl, Heather, who first alerted Hamish to the possibility of a death in the village.
I enjoyed this episode in the Hamish Macbeth series. It is, as ever, well written with many humorous incidents and characters. There are some sub plots as well and the book is about half as long again as many of the series. I thought the characters were especially well drawn with some intriguing behaviour and motivations. I particularly liked the little girl, Heather, who first alerted Hamish to the possibility of a death in the village.
Format:Paperback
All is not well. The engagement, so patiently awaited by fans throughout nine books, is floundering. Hitherto so sensible, Priscilla has plans for fiance Sergeant Hamish Macbeth - an overhaul of his home and life, he to be steered further up the promotion ladder. Hamish prefers things as they were and seeks any excuse to get away.
Rumours of the new arrival in neighbouring dour Drim seem worth checking out. The "Highland village that time had forgotten" stands between oppressive mountains and a dark loch, the inhabitants reclusive and unforthcoming. Enter incredibly handsome Peter Hynd, the charmer who instantly stirs up passions - ageing ladies all of a flutter, their husbands glowering. Hamish recognizes a recipe for disaster, especially as Hynd ignores advice and seems to enjoy the unrest he is causing. Suddenly he is around no more. Dead? Hamish resolves to find out....
Unfortunately certain aspects of this novel are hard to swallow. It defies belief why Peter Hynd is there in the first place. No stranger to hard manual labour, he is surely far more than just a shallow flirt? Then there are those "Puss in Boots" sequences which seem so tagged on, surely completely unrealistic considering the people involved? (The pantomime itself evolves at a pace to be envied by anybody who has tried to produce one.) On the credit side are the quirky full blooded characters - not least the remarkably self-possessed twelve year old Heather. Truly second sight or a hidden agenda?
Again it helps enormously the focus is so much on Hamish himself. Although this case dominates, he is also active elsewhere - dealing with a wife beater and flooring a burglar caught in the act (the householder promptly to complain about the dent in her frying pan). Overall reaction?... Read more ›
Rumours of the new arrival in neighbouring dour Drim seem worth checking out. The "Highland village that time had forgotten" stands between oppressive mountains and a dark loch, the inhabitants reclusive and unforthcoming. Enter incredibly handsome Peter Hynd, the charmer who instantly stirs up passions - ageing ladies all of a flutter, their husbands glowering. Hamish recognizes a recipe for disaster, especially as Hynd ignores advice and seems to enjoy the unrest he is causing. Suddenly he is around no more. Dead? Hamish resolves to find out....
Unfortunately certain aspects of this novel are hard to swallow. It defies belief why Peter Hynd is there in the first place. No stranger to hard manual labour, he is surely far more than just a shallow flirt? Then there are those "Puss in Boots" sequences which seem so tagged on, surely completely unrealistic considering the people involved? (The pantomime itself evolves at a pace to be envied by anybody who has tried to produce one.) On the credit side are the quirky full blooded characters - not least the remarkably self-possessed twelve year old Heather. Truly second sight or a hidden agenda?
Again it helps enormously the focus is so much on Hamish himself. Although this case dominates, he is also active elsewhere - dealing with a wife beater and flooring a burglar caught in the act (the householder promptly to complain about the dent in her frying pan). Overall reaction?... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
another excellent Hamish story
Yet another wonderful story about Hamish in which you can lose yourself, feel the cold, wonder at the scenery and enjoy all the familiar faces in the village. Read more
Published on 30 May 2009 by Mrs. R. A. Ali
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hamish Tests His Limits
Don't read this book yet if you haven't read any others in the series. At least go back to Death of a Glutton and follow that with Death of a Travelling Man before taking on Death... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2007 by Donald Mitchell
4.0 out of 5 stars
A 'Dread Scot' Decision!
"Death of a Charming Man," as a novel, is just that--"charming"! And probably this is an apt word to describe all the Hamish Macbeth books by British sleuth... Read more
Published on 10 Feb 1999
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